Harbaugh has concerns about what Rams can do

November 08, 2012|Reuters

The Sports Xchange

NFL Team Report - San Francisco 49ers - INSIDE SLANT

The 49ers are playing a three-win team with a battered offensive line and an aging running back in Steven Jackson. Still, to hear head coach Jim Harbaugh tell it, he's worried about the Rams' visit this Sunday to Candlestick Park.

"They present all kind of problems along the front, the linebackers. (They are) very good in the secondary," Harbaugh said of the Rams. "And a lot of times I guess we tend to talk earlier in the week - Mondays, sometimes Wednesdays. It's just not a real great time to be talking as a coach. You're worried, you're nervous."

While he didn't say it, Harbaugh also might be worried about circumstances. This is only the second game the 49ers will play in the last 24 days. Rust could be a factor and so could the looming game against the Bears a week from Monday night.

The Rams also present legitimate problems. They added speed in their wide receiving corps, quarterback Sam Bradford is a natural thrower and the team has added toughness with the additions of cornerback Cortland Finnegan and guard Harvey Dahl. Both players are known for rough tactics and specialize in getting opposing players out of their game.

In fact, the Rams are similar to where the 49ers were a couple of years ago. Bradford's development has been stunted by rotating offensive coordinators, a lack of receiving weapons and a porous offensive line. Now with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, the Rams have a familiar offense - one that is best on shifts and motions and a variety of personnel groups.

St. Louis just isn't as advanced as the 49ers because Schottenheimer is in his first year teaching the offense. The Rams will also be playing with an edge and a little desperation. They need a win to stay alive in the NFC West and they are eager to forget their 45-7 thrashing to the Patriots in London 11 days ago.

It's no wonder Harbaugh is nervous.

--Ohio was said to be the key to the recent presidential election. Now on a slightly different scale, Ohio, which is often said to be the crucible of football, could be the key to the 49ers-Rams game this Sunday at Candlestick Park.

Two players who attended Ohio State will be instrumental in this game, namely, 49ers right guard Alex Boone and Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis. The two players roomed together as Buckeyes and their battle could define the winner of the game.

The 49ers own the most explosive run game in the league and are one of the few teams that run more than they pass. Stop Frank Gore and the running game and generally the entire offense comes to a halt.

Meanwhile, Laurinaitis as the Rams' middle linebacker, is the face of St Louis' defense. He led the team in tackles last season with 142 and is doing the same this year; he has recorded double-digit tackles in six of the Rams' eight games.

Laurinaitis also rarely comes off the field and led the Rams with 1,052 snaps last season. He also signed a five-year deal a day before the season started.

"Mobile, rangy, tough, real savvy understanding of the game," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said when asked about Laurinaitis. "And they use him in a lot of different ways. In the blitz packages, rush to cover packages, cover packages. So, he's a force to be reckoned with."

Laurinaitis, meanwhile, said Boone was a force to be reckoned with as a roommate.

"He's a big man," Laurinaitis said. "The whole sleep apnea -- all that stuff. I would always advocate to get him one of those things to put over his face because I don't want to hear him snoring anymore."

Boone admitted he is a champion snorer.

"Oh, I'm terrible," he said.

Boone is loud when he's awake as well. Both players like to talk on the field and there will be plenty of chatter when the two clash on Sunday.

"I have got a lot of trash talk for him believe me," Boone said.

Laurinaitis is also proud of his former roomie, who nearly kicked away a promising NFL career with off-field troubles mainly centering around alcohol.

"Just to see him get things right and to really go forward with that. The physical stuff, I never questioned at all with Alex Boone," Laurinaitis said. "He is an extremely big human being. He always worked hard. Seeing him catch on and seeing how much he battled -- I mean, talk about perseverance. He's a practice-squad guy who's worked his way into this lineup. It's cool to see that with guys that you don't know. But when you know somebody personally, it's awesome to see that."

SERIES HISTORY: 125th regular-season meeting. Series tied, 61-61-2. The 49ers have won 11 of the last 14 games, and seven of the last eight. The Rams ousted the 49ers from the playoffs in 2010 with a 23-20 overtime win. The 49ers assured themselves a playoff berth by beating the Rams 34-27 in St. Louis last year.